Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Episode: December 24 (Micah 4–7; Psalm 144; Revelation 4–6)

Date: December 24, 2025
Host: Crossway
Episode Focus: This episode features daily readings from the Old Testament (Micah 4–7), the Psalms (Psalm 144), and the New Testament (Revelation 4–6) as part of a yearlong journey through the ESV Bible. The readings explore themes of messianic prophecy, God’s justice and compassion, praise and reliance on God, and the apocalyptic imagery found in Revelation.

Episode Overview

This episode offers scriptural readings that traverse major biblical themes:

• The restoration and reign of God’s people through messianic promise in Micah
• A psalm of praise, dependence, and blessing in Psalm 144
• An awe-inspiring vision of heaven and unfolding judgment in Revelation

Each portion connects God’s faithfulness to His people across both judgment and mercy, culminating in a portrayal of divine sovereignty and redemption.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Micah 4–7: Restoration, Messianic Hope, and Divine Requirements

Timestamps: 00:01–09:14

• The Glorious Future for Zion

  • The mountain of God is exalted, nations stream to it seeking His teaching:

    “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord... that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” (00:07)

  • Prophecy of peace:

    “They shall beat their swords into plowshares…” (00:27)

  • No more war, global peace, and individual security:

    “They shall sit, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid…” (00:35)

• Messianic Prophecy

  • The promised ruler from Bethlehem:

    “But you, O Bethlehem… from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” (02:21)

• God’s Charges Against Israel and Call for Justice

  • God laments Israel’s ingratitude:

    “O my people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me.” (03:58)

  • Clarifying true worship:

    “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (04:40)

  • Exposure of social decay:

    “The prince and the judge ask for a bribe… the best of them is like a briar, the most upright of them a thorn hedge.” (07:03)

• Individual Lament and Hope in God

  • Even amidst collective corruption, personal faith remains:

    “But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” (07:51)

  • Assurance of God’s compassion:

    “He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” (08:56)

2. Psalm 144: Praise for God’s Deliverance and Blessing

Timestamps: 09:14–10:38

• Acknowledgment of God’s Role as Protector and Provider
  • “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.” (09:14)
  • Celebration of God’s active help and steadfastness:

    “He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, and he in whom I take refuge…” (09:17)

• Human Frailty and God’s Sovereignty
  • “O Lord, what is man, that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?” (09:25)
• Prayer for Blessing and Prosperity
  • “May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars… May there be no cry of distress in our streets. Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall.” (10:07–10:24)

3. Revelation 4–6: The Throne Room Vision & The Seven Seals

Timestamps: 10:38–End

• Vision of God’s Throne

  • Stunning imagery of the heavenly throne:

    “A throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne… and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.” (10:41)

  • The incessant worship of God:

    “Day and night they never cease to say, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’” (11:39)

  • Elders recognize God’s ultimate authority and worthiness:

    “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things…” (12:18)

• The Scroll and the Lamb

  • The search for one worthy to open the scroll:

    “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?... I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy...” (12:36)

  • The Lamb is found worthy:

    “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered…” (12:51)
    “Worthy are you [the Lamb] to take the scroll… for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God…” (13:29)

  • Universal adoration:

    “‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!’ …to him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (14:04–14:24)

• Opening the Seven Seals: The Four Horsemen and Judgments

  • The first four seals unleash the iconic Four Horsemen: conquest, war, famine, and death (15:02–16:01)
  • The cry of the martyrs for justice:

    “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood…?” (16:24)

  • The sixth seal: cosmic chaos, terror on earth

    “The sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood… the kings of the earth… called to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb…’” (17:01–17:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Micah's concise gospel summary:

  “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” — Reader 1 (04:40)

• Micah on God’s forgiveness:

  “He will have compassion on us… You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” — Reader 1 (08:56)

• Psalmist’s awe at God’s attention:

  “O Lord, what is man, that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?” — Reader 1 (09:25)

• The worship of heaven:

  “‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’” — Reader 2, quoting the living creatures (11:39) “‘Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things…’” — Reader 2, quoting the elders (12:18)

• Anguish and hope of the martyrs:

  “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood…” — Reader 2 (16:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Micah 4–7 – Restoration, prophecy, divine indictment, and forgiveness (00:01–09:14)
• Psalm 144 – Prayer and praise for deliverance and blessing (09:14–10:38)
• Revelation 4–6 – Throne room vision, cosmic worship, unveiling of the scroll, Four Horsemen, and heavenly judgment (10:38–End)

Closing Thoughts

This episode emphasizes God’s ultimate authority, the promise of Messiah, the call to a humble and just life, and wraps with apocalyptic revelations that point to both God’s justice and redemption. Through visionary scripture readings, listeners are invited into both reverence and hope, seeing God’s faithfulness across the unfolding story of Scripture.